London Weddings - A guide to getting married in London

This long, cold, winter is finally drawing to a close and as Alfred, Lord Tennyson once said “In the spring a young man's fancy lightly turns to thoughts of love.” As London's parks and gardens are transformed by the daffodils and crocuses and the blossom appears on the trees, thoughts of romance are not only the preserve of young men.

Spring and summer are the most popular time of year for weddings and London provides an obvious choice of location for your special day as there is a wealth of beautiful and unusual venues for your civil or religious ceremony and reception. However, bear in mind that a wedding in London costs, on average, around 15% more than in other parts of the UK, predominantly due to the cost of the reception.

Wedding Ceremony Venues

Civil wedding ceremonies have not been restricted to registry offices since the mid 1990s and numerous venues in London have been awarded civil licences. From London's most luxurious hotels to local pubs, from London Zoo to Alexandra Palace couples are declaring their love everywhere. Log on to weddingvenues.com for a complete list of venues and weddings.co.uk which provides contact details for the Registrar's Office in each London borough.

Unusual Venue Ideas

If you are walking on air at the thought of marriage, check out the British Airways London Eye for a wedding 135 metres above the Thames with breathtaking views across London. You can hire a private capsule, decorated with flowers, for up to 19 people and champagne will be provided to toast the bride and groom. The price for a weekend wedding starts at £2,000 with additional guest capsules costing £299.

Although the law does not permit civil weddings in a moving vehicle, those of a nautical persuasion can be married on the T.S. Queen Mary, queenmary.com, which is moored at Waterloo Pier. Built in 1933, the Queen Mary underwent a £2.5 million refurbishment in 1997 and makes a unique and memorable venue for your ceremony. If you fancy sailing off down the Thames once you've tied the knot, check out Woods River Cruises, silverfleet.co.uk. Woods have a fleet of ships and can pick you and your guests up from any London pier. Their events team can organise every aspect of your reception and offer a range of wedding packages.

The beautiful Tower Bridge provides another unusual wedding venue with spectacular views across London. You will exchange your vows in the Bridgemaster's Dining Room and there is a choice of beautiful rooms for your reception.